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Indian
States
Himachal
Pradesh
Lakes
Chandertal
Lake
| Dal Lake |
Gobind Sagar |
Khajjiar Lake |
Manimahesh Lake |
Nako Lake | Parashar
Lake | Renuka Lake
| Rewalsar Lake
| Suraj Tal
Chandertal Lake :
It is 6 kms from the Kunzam Pass that connects Spiti and Lahaul.
Surrounded by snows and acres of scree, this deep blue-water lake
has a circumference of 2.5 kms. This is the source of the river
Chandra. According to some believers, this is the spot from where
the god Indra's chariot took the eldest Pandava brother, Yudhishtra
to swarga, heaven in his mortal form.
Dal Lake : Dal lake is in Kangra district,
11 kms from Dharamsala. Surrounded by deodar trees, this is on
the motor road to Talnu. Held sacred, this has a small Shiva temple
on its banks. The banks of the lake are enlivened every September
by a fair attended - amongst others - by a large number of migrant
Gaddi folk.
Gobind Sagar : The Gobind Sagar over
the river Sutlej, is the result of the huge hydel dam at  Bhakra
and is named in honour of Gobind Singh the tenth Sikh guru. One
of the world's highest gravity dams, the Bhakra rises 225.5 m
above its lowest foundations. Its reservoir - the Gobind Sagar
- is 90 kms long and encompasses an area of approximately 170
sq kms. As far back as 1962, the Gobind Sagar was declred a 'water
fowl refuge' and even today, hosts a variety of water and shore
birds. Fishing is a regular activity and 51 species and sub-species
have been recorded. The varieties found, include Labeo dero, Tor
putitora, Mystus seenghala and mirror carp and allied species.
Water sports are available - as are speed boat and ferry rides.
In October and November, when the water level of the reservoir
is at its peak, a series of regattas are also organised by the
Department of Tourism and Civil aviation. Water-skiing, sailing,
kayaking and water-scooter racing become available at this time.
Khajjiar
Lake : Khajjiar lake is in Chamba district. 16 kms from Dalhousie
and 25 kms from Chamba. Fed by slim streams, this small lake rests
in the centre of the large glade of Khajjiar. The glade and the
lake are held sacred to Khajjinag - after whom the place is named.
Khajjiar has the thick forest of the Kalatope sanctuary surrounding
its soft green grass.
Manimahesh Lake : Located in Chamba
district, 32 kms from Bharmaur. Held sacred to lord Shiva this lies
in the Budhil valley at the foot of the Manimahesh ranges. The peak
of Manimahesh Kailash is regarded as one of the mythical abodes
of Shiva. This tarn is the venue of the annual Manimahesh yatra.
Nako
Lake : Located in the Pooh sub-division of district Kinnaur.
The lake is surrounded by willow and poplar trees - and the village
seems to be half buried by the lake's borders. On the water's
northern side, are four Buddhist temples with stucco images and
murals. Near Nako is a footprint-like impression described to
the saint Padmasambhava.
Parashar Lake : Parashar lake is in
Mandi district, 40 kms from Mandi town. With deep blue waters,
this beautiful lake is held sacred to the sage Parashar. A three-tiered
Pagoda-like temple dedicated to the sage lies by the lake - and
he is regarded to have meditated here. Its remarkable setting
is enhanced by a frame of snow-draped peaks and visible from the
lake's edge, the waters of the river Sutlej flow due south. The
lakeside and the nearby villages, are sites of various festivals
held at different times of the year.
Renuka Lake : Renuka lake is connected
by road and lies in Sirmaur district. With a circumference of
3214 m, Renukaji is the largest natural lake in Himachal. Shaped
like the profile of a reclining woman, this is regarded as the
embodiment of the goddess Renuka. Near the lake's feet is another
lake held sacred to her son, Parshurama. Both have temples built
around them and the main temple to Renuka is regarded to have
been built overnight in the eighteenth century. The lake rests
in a long valley and the surrounding slopes are covered with a
variety of vegetation and thick woods. Boating is available on
the lake. Renuka has a mini zoo with spotted deer, nilgai, barking
deer and Himalayan black bears - and a lion safari. Fishing is
possible on the river Giri, at nearby Jataun.
Rewalsar Lake : Rewalsar lake is
in Mandi district, 24 kms from Mandi town. Shaped quite like a
square and with a shoreline of 735 m, this dark jewel rests on
a mountain spur and is protected by a variety of dense vegetation.
The spot is held sacred by Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists alike.
Legend has it that the great teacher and 'tantric', Padmasambhava
used his enormous powers to take flight to Tibet from Rewalsar.
There are three Buddhist monasteries at Rewalsar. It also has
a gurudwara that was built in 1930 by raja Joginder Sen of Mandi.
Rewalsar has three Hindi temples which are dedicated to lord Krishna,
lord Shiva and to the sage Lomas. A small zoo also is maintained
near the lake.
Suraj Tal : Below the summit of the
Baralacha Pass in the Lahaul division of district Lahaul and Spiti.
The Baralacha la connects Manali and Lahaul to Ladakh and the
lake which draws a considerable number of visitors - especially
in summer - lies by its head. This is the source of the river
Bhaga.
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